Wigan has lowest rate of new Covid-19 cases in Greater Manchester, public health chief says

The latest report shows that for the week up to July 1 the borough had 11 new cases identified, a rate of 3.4 per 100,000 people.

This was the lowest of all 10 unitary authorities in Greater Manchester and compares to a regional rate of 10.2 cases per 100,000 people and a national one of 6.9 cases.

The latest weekly case total is also the lowest seen since mid-March, with daily new cases in Wigan peaking in mid-April.

However, despite the largely-positive outlook for the borough Prof Ardern, who is Wigan Council's director of public health and also leads Greater Manchester's track and trace response, was keen to ensure there is no public complacency and said it was vital residents continued to observe social distancing and other safety measures.

Prof Ardern said: "Wigan borough has the lowest rate of new Covid-19 cases in Greater Manchester for the latest complete week. New cases also continue to reduce weekly and our rates are now at the lowest since mid-March.

“Our death registration rate from the last week has also decreased by more than half.

“Although this is all very reassuring news, we need to maintain these promising figures.

“It is down to the success of our local test and trace system and the public for keeping their distance and following hygiene practices that we are able to continue fighting this virus. There is still a way to go and we continue to ask residents and businesses for their support and co-operation.”

The case data now includes tests done under both pillar 1 testing, that carried out in labs run by either the NHS or Public Health England, and pillar 2 which is made up of commercial organisations.

The total number of confirmed cases in Wigan is now 2,110, a rate of 647 per 100,000 people. This is a higher rate than the 609 for Greater Manchester and the 585 rate for the North West.

Wigan has the fifth-highest rate of total cases of the 10 Greater Manchester areas.

Experts say the borough's age and health profile mean a large number of residents are particularly susceptible to Covid-19.

The latest R rate for the North West is between 0.7 and 0.9, making the region one of two with an upper estimate lower than one. This is important as it reveals whether the outbreak is getting bigger or smaller.

To view the data tracker, visit www.wigan.gov.uk/Resident/Crime-Emergencies/Coronavirus/Coronavirus-update-and-advice.aspx